he also helped john mccain get ready for his town hall against obama four years ago. why is the audience so key? what does that get governor romney? >> because when people see that, then they know he cares. they know it's not just about policy, it's not just about position, it is about the people. >> reporter: gop sources say that is especially important for romney, working hard to shed an out of touch image. they want romney to avoid awkward missteps, like this, when george hw bush could not answer how the recession affected him. >> on a personal basis, how has it affected you? >> has it affected you personally? >> i'm sure it has, i love my grandchildren -- >> how? >> help me with the question and i'll try to answer. >> reporter: romney's old debate coach reviewed with us the first face-off with obama, his best and worst moments. best, his closing statement. >> what kind of america do you want to have for yourself and for your children? >> that's very effective. he stole the president's vocabulary. they had been using the language of the two paths. >> reporter: wors